McLibel case

McLibel case refers to a legal case in the United Kingdom, officially known as McDonald's Corporation vs Steel & Morris. It is renowned for being the longest-running case in English history, lasting from 1986 to 1997. The case was a defamation lawsuit filed by the McDonald's Corporation against environmental activists Helen Steel and David Morris, often referred to as "the McLibel Two".

Background

The McLibel case began when Steel and Morris distributed a pamphlet titled "What's wrong with McDonald's?" The pamphlet accused McDonald's of various unethical practices, including animal cruelty, exploitation of child labor, and contributing to global deforestation. McDonald's, claiming that these allegations were false and damaging to their reputation, sued Steel and Morris for defamation.

The Trial

The trial began in 1994 and lasted for 313 days. Due to the high costs of legal representation, Steel and Morris represented themselves. The case was heard by Mr Justice Bell, who eventually ruled in favor of McDonald's. However, he also stated that some of the claims made in the pamphlet were true, such as McDonald's exploitation of children through advertising and the fact that the company paid low wages to its workers.

Aftermath and Legacy

Despite the ruling, the McLibel case is often seen as a PR disaster for McDonald's. The case brought widespread attention to the allegations made in the pamphlet, and the company's decision to sue only two individuals was seen as heavy-handed. In 2005, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the lack of legal aid available to Steel and Morris had violated their rights, leading to a partial victory for the pair.

The McLibel case has had a lasting impact on how corporations handle PR crises and has been the subject of numerous books and documentaries. It remains a significant case in the field of libel law and is often studied in law schools.

See also

• McDonald's Corporation
• Defamation
• Libel law in England and Wales
• European Court of Human Rights

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McLibel case

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  "What's wrong with McDonalds - everything they don't want you to know" leaflet cover

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  DPP Keir Starmer in 2009

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  Anti-McDonalds protest Leicester Square London 2004